Machines for forming outsole-heel units



Nov. 24, 1964 G. V. SPRAGUE, JR

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OCL. 8, 1962 I n mentor Gora/072 VmgaqJl-r G. V. SPRAGUE, JR

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS -Nov. 24, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OC'C. 8, 1962 Nov. 24, 1964 G. v. sPRAGUE, JR 3,157,898

MACHINES FOR FORMING ouTsoLE-HEEL UNITS Filed oct. 8, 1962 8 sheets-sheet s Nov. 24, 1964 s. v. sPRAGUE, JR 3,157,898

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS Filed oct. s, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 24, 1964 G. v. sPRAGUE, JR

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed OG. 8, 1962 Nov. 24, 1964 G. v. sPRAGUE, JR 3,157,898

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS Filed 0G13. 8, 1962 8 Sheets-5h66?. S

G. V. SPRAGUE, JR

MACHINES FOR FORMING OUTSOLE-HEEL UNITS Nov. 24, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 8, 1962 Nov. 24, 1964 G. v. sPRAGUE, JR 3,157,898

MACHINES FOR Fem/11N@ oUTsoLE-HEEL UNITS Filed oct. 8, 1962 e sheets-sheet s United States Patent O 3,17,89 MACHENES FR FRMENG @UESGIIlE-HEEL UNETS Gordon V. Sprague, Ir., Danvers, Mass., assigner to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, NJ., a corporation of New .Iersey Filed er. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 228,922 25 Qlaims. QL 12m-16.2)

This invention relates to machines for trimming the rear end portions of loose outsoles to form thereon heel breast covering flaps and for thereafter applying by the use of adhesive said flaps to the breasts of loose heels whereby to provide outsole-heel units which are subsequently secured to the bottoms of shoes by the use of a machine such, for example, `as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,384,003, granted September 4, 1945, on an application tiled in the name of Lewis I. Bazzoni. The outline of the flap formed in the machine is such that the lateral and lower margins of the trimmed flap register with the lateral and lower breast edges of the heel, the combined outline of the forepart and shank portion of the outsole and the rim of the attaching face of the heel of the assembled unit being such that the unit fits `the bottom of the shoe.

Heretofore it has been common practice adhesively to secure the rear end portion of a loose outsole to the breast of a loose heel by the use of a machine such as is disclosed, for example, in United States Letters Patent No. 3,075,209, granted January 29, 1963, on an application tiled in the names of Harold E. Elliott et al., said rear end portion of the outsole projecting beyond the lateral and lower edges of the breast of the heel and being subsequently trimmed ilush with said edges either by hand or by the use of a machine during a second independent operation commonly performed by a skilled workman.

llt is an object of 'the present invention to provide a machine by the use of which an unskilled operator may quickly and eifectively form outsole-heel units which will lit the bottoms of shoes. With the above object and considerations in view applicant, in accordance with a feature of the invention, has provided in a machine for forming a unitary outsole and heel adapted to be attached to a shoe, trimming means, a carrier including means for positioning and holding left and right outsoles, a pair of units each comprising means for positioning a heel, means for clamping said heel against movement, and means for applying a heel breast covering flap of an outsole which is mounted on the carrier to the breast of the heel, a frame, means for securing on the frame said carrier in two predetermined positions in either of which one or the other of the outsoles on the carrier has its rear end portion arranged in a predetermined position with relation to the trirmning means and the other outsole, which is mounted on the carrier and has already had a heel breast llap formed at its rear end, is arranged opposite one of said units, power means for operating said trimming means to form a heel breast covering flap on the rear end of said one outsole, power means for operating the heel clamping means, and power means for operating the ilap applying means.

The present invention consists in the above features, as well as in other features directed to novel trimming mechanism including cutting dies and to novel flap applying mechanism hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of Ithe invention selected for purposes of illustration, said invention being fully described in the following description and claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. l is a perspective view showing the illustrative machine at the time it is idle;

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FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged views of an operating head of the machine showing positions of the various movable parts of the machine during two different stages of its operation;

FIG. 4 is a view showing in perspective ldetails of a trimming or flap forming die of the machine;

FIG. 5 is a View corresponding to FIG. 4 but showing a modified trimming or ap forming die;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of one of a pair of gages which are mounted on a carrier of the machine and are adapted to bear against the rear lateral margins of the shank portions of outsoles and which cooperate with toe gages respectively to position and to hold said outsoles on the carrier;

FIG. 8 shows details of heel centralizing mechanism which forms part of heel positioning and clamping units of the machine and which is substantially identical to portions of the gage shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 1l are side views in the direction of arrow IX of FIG. l showing a right heel positioning and ilap clamping unit of the machine during three different stages of the application of a heel breast covering llap of an outsole to the breast of a heel in said unit;

FIG. l2 is a perspective view showing various lines and controls forming part of fluid pressure mechanism through which the machine is powered;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing schematically portions of the fluid pressure mechanism of the machine;

FIG. 14 shows in perspective the ilesh or inner side of a left outsole which is to be operated upon by the machine;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing the outsole after its rear end portion has been trimmed in the machine to form a heel breast covering flap;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the heel before its attachment to the outsole illustrated in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 shows an outsole-heel unit, which includes the outsole of FIG. 15 and the heel of FIG. 16, the heel breast covering flap of the outsole having been adhesively secured by the machine to the breast of the heel, and a shoe to which said unit is subsequently attached being shown in phantom.

The illustrative machine is described with reference to the manufacture of an outsole-heel unit 2t) (FIG. 17) which .is subsequently attached by the use of adhesive to the bottom of a shoe 22. An outsole 24 (FIGS. 2 and 14) as it arrives at the machine may be prefinished from its heel breast line 26 forward, the marginal portion of the forepart and shank of the outsole usually being slightly beveled at its flesh side, and a rear or tab portion 25 of the outsole (that is the portion of the outsole from the heel breast line 26 rearward) comprising a transversely and longitudinally beveled reinforced base portion 25a and a marginal portion 2517 which is uniformly thin. It will be noted that the marginal portion of the flesh side of the forepart and shank of the out sole 24 as well as the esh side of the entire rear end portion or" the outsole have a coating of pressure sensitive or heat activated cement applied to them, said cement at this time being dry. An illustrative heel 3i) of the outsole heel unit 2t) is of the Louis type and is commonly sprayed. The heel, however, may have a cover (not shown) applied to its rear and side faces, beveled margins of the cover being inturned upon and adhesiveiy secured to the breast and to the attaching face of the heel.

The machine is powered byiluid-pressure activated mechanism and comprises a trimming, flap forming or dieing unit 34 which is arranged at a flap trimming station 36 and to which right and left outsoles 24, positioned and held respectively in right and left outsole positioning and holding units 38 of a carrier 40, are alternately prealavesa sented, as will be hereinafter explained, to remove material from the peripheries of the rear end portions of the outsoles 24 whereby to form trimmed outsoles 42 (FIG. each having a heel breast line 26a and a heel breast covering tlap or liap portion 44 which, when adhesively secured to the breast of the heel 3) as hereinafter explained -to form the outsole-heel unit 2t), has its lateral margins in register with the breast edges of the heel and has its end in register with the forward edges of the top lift receiving face of the heel. If desirable the ap 44 may be trimmed lto the proper length for subsequent reception beneath a top lift 46 of the heel.

In operating upon a new run of work, the machine being idle as shown in FIG. l, the operator, by the use of means hereinafter described, positions, for example, a right outsole 24 in the right outsole positioning and holding unit 38 of the carrier 40 (as viewed from the front of the machine) and positions one of the heels in a right heel positioning and flap clamping unit 4S of the machine as shown in FIG. 2. At this time a die 5t) comprising part of the ap forming unit 34 is in a raised idle position and heel clamps 52 and ap applying pads 54 of the right and left heel positioning and flap clamping units 48 respectively are also in raised or idle positions.

A lever 56 of a 4-way, two position valve 57 is then manually depressed to cause, through mechanism hereinafter described, the heel clamp 52 of the right heel positioning and ap clamping unit 48 to be brought to bear against the rear lateral portions of the heel in said unit as best shown in FIG. 2 whereby to secure said heel in place in the unit.

The operator then manually swings operating levers 58 of the flap forming unit 34 simultaneously toward each other causing, through mechanism hereinafter described, the die 5l) to cooperate with a cutting bed 60 of this unit to trim the rear end portion of the right outsole 24 whereby to form the outsole 4Z having the heel breast covering tiap 44. After the outsole has been trimmed the levers 53 are released with the result that the die 50 is raised by air pressure actuated mechanism. The carrier is then manually slid to the right in a rectilinear path from its position shown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FlG. 3, the operator manually bending the ap 44 upwardly and forwardly as the carrier is being slid to its position shown in FIG. 3. The flap 44 is released so as to allow it to spring baci; against the breast of the heel 30 in the right heel positioning and ap clamping unit 48 as soon as the carrier 40 has been moved to its position shown in FIG. 3.

It will be noted that the machine as an entirety and its flap forming unit 44 have a common iixed vertical median plane 62 and that the vertically moving die 50 is symmetrically arranged at opposite sides of this plane. Furthermore, when the carrier 40 is in its position shown in FIG. 2 ready to receive the right outsole 24, a vertical median plane 63 of the right outsole positioning and holding unit 38 of the carrier 46 lies in the vertical median plane 62 of the machine and when the carrier has been moved to its position shown in FIG. 3 the vertical median plane 63 of the right outsole positioning and holding unit 38 lies in a vertical plane 64 (FIG. 2) of the right heel positioning and Hap clamping unit 48.

The operator next swings a lever 66 of a 4-way, two position valve 67 from its raised to its depressed position causing, through hereinafter described mechanism, the right ilap applying or attaching pad 54 to be lowered with a slight rearward movement against the portion of the ap 44 which covers the lip of the heel 30 (FIG. l0) and then to be moved downwardly with an increased rearward component to apply said ilap progressively to the breast of the heel, the cement previously applied to the ap and to the breast of the heel serving etectively to secure said ilap to the heel.

While the flap 44 of the outsole 42 is held clamped against the breast of the heel 30 in the right heel positioning and flap clamping unit 43 the operator positions a left outsole 24 in the left outsole positioning and holding unit 3S of the carrier 40 and after positioning a heel in the left heel positioning and ap clamping unit 48 depresses a lever 56a of a 4-way, two position valve 57a with the result that the heel clamp 52 of this unit is forced against the rear lateral portions of the heel in the unit. The die Sti is again operated in response to the manual moving of the levers 5S of the ap forming unit 34 simultaneously toward each other whereby to form the flap 44 on the left outsole 42, the levers 56, 66 of the valves 57, 67 then being raised preparatory to removing the right outsole-heel unit 2t) from the right heel positioning and clamping unit 43` and from the right outsole positioning and holding unit 38 of the carrier` 40. The carrier 4G is then manually slid back to its position shown in FlG. 2, the flap 44 of the lett outsole 42 in the left outsole positioning and holding unit 38 being raised up in front of the breast of the heel 36 in the left heel positioninf7 and ilap clamping unit 48. A lever 66a of a 4-way, two position valve 67a is thereafter depressed to cause the pad 54 of the left heel positioning and flap clamping unit 43 to apply the ilap 44 to the left outsole 42 in the left outsole positioning and holding unit 38 of the carrier itl to the breast of the heel 30 in said heel positioning and flap clamping unit. Another heel and right outsole 24 are then positioned in the machine as above explained and after removing the left outsole-heel unit 2() from the machine the foregoing procedure is repeated.

The outsole carrier 45E comprises a table 68 having secured to it depending flanges (only one shown) provided with alined bores 79 (FlGS. 2 and 9) respectively through which extends a guide rod 72 xed to a main frame 74 of the machine. A forward depending fiange 76 screwed to and forming part of the table 63 has rotatably mounted on it one or more rolls 78 in engagement with a flat horizontal face "-0 of the main frame '74 and serves in combination with the guide rod 72 slidingly to support the table for movement between its positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In order to secure the carrier 40 in its two different operating positions upon the main frame 74 there is secured to said frame a block 82 housing a spring-pressed plunger 4 adapted to engage in either of two notches 86 (FG. 2) formed in the front face of the flange 76 of the table 68.

The right and left outsole positioning and holding units 32 of the carrier 40 are similar in construction but are reversely arranged. The right and left outsoles 24 are positioned widthwise in the right and left outsole positioning and holding units 38 respectively with median planes 35 (FIG. 14) of their tabs 25 and the rear portions of their Shanks in the vertical. median planes 63 of the units by the use of a shank gage 87 comprising front and rear pairs of undercut fiusto conical centralizing rolls 88, 9) respectively, the rolls of each pair being biased inwardly toward the associated vertical plane 63 and being constrained for equal and opposite movements with reference to this plane as will be explained later. The outsole 24 is placed in the outsole positioning and holding unit 38 arranged opposite the ap forming unit 34, the rear end portion of the outsole overlying the cutting bed 60 which is arranged in a pocket of the main frame and may be screwed to said frame and which is made for example of hard rubber or of suitable fibrous material.

in order to position right and left outsoles 24 lengthwise in the outsole positioning and holding units 38 respectively of the carrier 4t) the toe ends of these outsoles are moved into engagement with right and left toe plates or gages S2 which are secured initially in predetermined adjusted positions upon the carrier 40 as will be hereinafter explained. The toe plates 92 forms part of a gage 94 comprising a U-bar $6 having formed in its bottom a slot 93 through which pass shoulder screws 100 threaded into the table 68, said U-bar being intially secured in a predetermined adjusted position to the table in accordance with the particular style of outsole to be accommodated. In order to accommodate different sizes of outsoles 24 of a given style the right and left toe plates 92 may be moved over the table 68 into diiierent forwardly or rearwardly adjusted positions with relation to the U-bar 96 which has formed in opposite upstanding ilanges thereof slots 102 in which fit shoulder screws 164 threaded into the associated toe plates. In order quickly and edectively to position the toe plates 92 initially with relation to the U-bar 96 in accordance with the length of the outsole each of the toe plates has an indicating mark 1116 which may be brought into register with a calibrated scale 106 on the U-bar, the shoulder screws 104, which are loose at this time, thereafter being tightened to secure the toe plate to said U-bar. In order initially to set the U-bar 96 in its proper position forwardly and rearwardly of the table 68 to accommodate a particular style of shoe, a side of said U-bar is provided with an indicating mark 119 which registers with a calibrated scale 112 formed on the table 68.

Each of the heel positioning and flap clamping units 48 comprises a box-like housing 74a which forms part of the main frame 74 and comprises a heel supporting platform 114 of a heel gage 116 comprising front and rear pairs of centralizing rolls 116, 126, the rolls of each pair being arranged equidistant from the associated plane 64, being constrained against outward movement in opposite directions toward and away from each other, and being biased toward each other as will be presently explained. Also mounted upon the heel supporting platform 114 is a back stop 122 adapted to be engaged by the rear end of the rim of the attaching face of the heel 30, the heel being moved rearwardly over said platform with the opposite sides of the rim of the attaching face of the heel in engagement with the rolls 116', 121i of the gage 116 until the heel engages the back stop whereby to position the heel lengthwise. The back stop 122 may be initially positioned forwardly and rearwardly on the platform 114 by the use of clamping screws 124 which extend through parallel slots 126 (FIGS. 9, l0 and ll) of said stop and are threaded into the platform.

The housing '74a has formed in it bores 123 (FIGS. 2, 9, and 1l) in which slide rods 130 having at their upper ends headers 132 forming parts of the clamps S2 which are laced to the headers and are made of leather or other suitable material. The rods 130 at their lower ends are each operatively connected through a header 134 and a connecting rod 135 to a piston (not shown) reciprocable in a cylinder 136 fulcrumed at 13S to the main frame 74, said piston being operated by fluid pressure hereinafter referred to.

The pad 54, which is made of rubber composition, is secured by screws 146 (FIGS. 3, 10 and 1l) to a metal casing 142 having lateral arms secured by screws 144 to the upper ends of bars 146 which extend rearwardly and downwardly and normally rest on rollers 148 secured to opposite sides of the box-like housing 74a. rthe rear ends of the arms 146 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of arms of a lever 156 journaled on trunnion screws 152 (FIGS. l, 9 and l2) mounted on the main frame '74. The lower end of the lever 151i is operatively connected to a rod 154 having secured to it a piston (not shown) reciprocable in a cylinder 156 mounted on a bearing pin 156 secured to the main frame 74.

The opposite end portions of the pistons of the cylinders 136, 156 are in communication through lines 16d, 162 and 164, 166 respectively with the valves 57, 67. High pressure air is supplied to the valves 57, 67 from a main high pressure air line 168 having interposed in it an air iilter 170, an air lubricator 172 and a pressure regulator 174. The lines 166, 162, 164 and 166 have interposed in them restrictor checks 176.

The die 50 comprises a die block or die housing 173 which is secured by screws 160 (FIG. 4) to a header plate 182 fixed to the lower ends of rods 184 slidable 'in vertical bores 166 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in an upstanding portion of the main frame 74. Pivotally connected to the header plate 182 is a rod 168 having secured to it a piston (not shown) slidable in a cylinder journaled at its upper end on a pin 192 (FiGS. l, 2 and l2) secured to the main frame 74. Upper and lower portions of the cylinder 1&0 are in communication through lines 194, 196 with a normally 3-way, pilot operated valve 198 which is normally held closed in circuit. In order to insure against injuring the operator'it is necessary simultaneously to press the levers 5S toward each other, said levers being adapted to operate 3-way, manually controlled valves 266, 262, the valve 266 being normally closed and the valve 262 being normally open. High pressure air is supplied to the valves 2MB, 202 by the main air supply line 168 and when the levers SS are pressed toward each other the Valve 196 is operated to cause the die 5@ to be lowered whereby to remove material from the rearend portion of the outsole 24 to form the outsole 42 provided with the heel breast covering flap 44.

The die comprises the die block 178 which is provided with front and rear parallel guideways 206, 203 (FIG. 4) of T-shaped cross section, said block having adjustably secured to it by the use of screws 269 a back knife 216 which has a straight cutting edge 212, a vertical planar forward face 214 and slots 211 through which the screws pass. Slidable in the transverse guideways 296, 208 are right and left pairs of front and rear carrier blocks 216, 2113 which are pivotally connected and are secured respectively by screws 226, 222 to front and rear flanges 224, 226 of side knives 228 which are flexible and have cutting edges 236, the cutting edges 236, 212 of the side and back knives 226, 210 being arranged in a plane. The carrier blocks 216, 21S have threaded into them front and rear hand screws 232, 234 respectively which are journalled in the die block 173 and may be rotated to vary the shapes of the cutting edges 230 of the side knives 228. The rear ends of the cutting'edges 230 of the side knives 228 extend along the cutting edge 212 of the back knife 210 and may be described as being substantially continuous with the cutting edge 212. The die block 178 has formed on it calibrations 236 cooperating respectively with lines 238 on the side knives for the purpose of initially setting the front ends of these knives in their proper positions in accordance with the desired shape to be imparted to them. The rear ends of the cutting edges 236 of the side knives 228 during their adjustment slide along the planar forward face 214 of the back knife, a bevel face 240 of the back knife 216 being provided with calibrations (not shown) which may be utilized for arranging the rear ends of the side knives in their desired positions. It will be noted that the upper end portion of the breast of the Louis heel 36 is convex transversely andA is concave longitudinally and that the lower half of the heel is substantially planar. It has been found, however, that by providing a plurality of sets of dies 56 having diiferently shaped knives 228 which may be adjusted on the associated die blocks 173 as above explained, the flap 44 may be formed while the rear end portion of the outsole is lying fiat upon the cutting bed 66, the construction and arrangement being such that when the flap is applied to the breast of the heel its side and end margins will register respectively with the lateral and top lift edges of the breast of the heel.

The construction and operation of the front and rear pairs of truste-conical centralizing rolls 83, 96 of the gage 87 of the right and left outsole supporting and positioning units 38 will now be described.

The rear rolls 9@ are supported by the table 68 and are rotatably mounted on headed pins 242 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which extend through slots 244 in the table and are secured by setscrews in bores of spacers 246 lixed to outer ends of arms 246 the inner ends of which are pivotally connected to opposite ends respectively of a lever 256 secured to a spacer 252 pivotally supported on a shoulder screw 254 fixed at its upper end to the table. The spacers 246 have secured respectively to them depending pins 256 which extend downwardly through bores in the arms 2425 and have their lower ends attached to opposite ends respectively of a spring 25S. The front rolls 3S are also supported by the table 68 and are rotatably mounted on headed pins 260 which extend through slots 262 in the table and are secured by setscrews in bores of spacers 264 fixed to L- shaped arms 266 inner ends of which are pivotally connected to opposite ends respectively of a lever 263 secured to a spacer 270 pivotally supported on a shoulder screw 272 fixed at its upper end to the table. The pins 260 extend downwardly through bores of the arms 266 and have opposite ends of a spring 274 attached to them.

The table 68 has formed in it a wide slot 276 through which passes with a fair amount of clearance a hand screw 278 threaded into an actuator plate 230, said plate being provided with a circular opening 282 through which the left spacer 246 passes with a slight clearance, the plate being pivotally connected to the lett -shaped arm 266 by a pivot pin 284 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

When the hand screw 278 is manually slid to the lett along the slot 276, as viewed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, left and right rolls 88, 90 move equal distances in opposite directions to open the gage 87. After the outsole 24 has been placed in the opened up gage 87 of one of the outsole posiw tioning and holding units 38 and the hand screw 278 has been released the rolls or gages 88, 99 close in on the opposite sides of the rear portion of the shank of the out, sole as shown in FIG. 2 with the result that the median plane 85 of the tab 25 and shank of the outsole 24 coincides with the vertical median plane 63 of the associated unit. It will be noted that the rear and front rolls 88, 96 are not constrained for the same amount of movement since the actuator plate 23u is permitted to pivot about its pivotal connection with the left L-shaped arm 266 and also about the left spacer 246.

It will be apparent after examining FIG. 8, that the heel gages 116 of the heel positioning and flap clamping umts 48 are substantially like the gages 87 of the outsole positioning and holding units 38 with the actuator plates 280 omitted, the front and rear rolls 113, 120 of the gages 116 being cylindrical instead of frusto conical. The heel 30, as above explained, is positioned in the gage 116 by sliding it, rear end first, rearwardly over the upper face of the platform 114, the front rolls 118 and the rear rolls 120 being moved apart respectively equal distances in opposite directions from the vertical median plane 64 of the heel positioning and clamping unit 4S until the rear end of the heel has been brought into engagement with the initially set back stop 122. It will thus be clear that the rolls 11S, 126 serve to position the heel with its longitudinal median plane lying in the vertical median plane 64 of the heel positioning ap clamping unit (i3. In view of the detail description of the outsole positioning gage 8'7 it is not believed necessary further to describe in detail the gage 116.

Ir" desirable the die 56 may have substituted for it a modified die 258 (FI-G. A block 29@ of the die 23S is secured to the header plate i8?. by the screws 180, said die comprising a pair of side knives 292, 292e which are generally similar to the above described side knives 228. Front and rear portions of the knives 2%, 292s are simultaneously movable equal distances in opposite directions on the die bock 2% and toward and away from a vertical median plane 2% of the die bloclr by the use of front and rear screws 2%6. 29S which are journaled in the die bloclr and are provided with left and right-hand threaded portions meshing with the front and rear pairs of carrier blocks 235, 297. The modified die 28S is also ditterent from the die 5o in that there is no back knife 210. Instead, the side knife 292g has a rear portion 292i which extends transversely of the die and is engaged by the rear end of the side knife 292, cutting edges 300, 30d@ of the knifes 292, 272a being arranged d in the same plane and being substantially continuous. In View of the detailed description of the die Si) no further description of the modiiied die 238 is believed to be necessary.

Although the machine has been described as adapted to form the heel breast covering flap 44 upon the outsole 24 and thereafter to apply said flap to the breast of the heel, it will be understood that the machine may be used separately to form said flap or to lay up a pretrirnmed i'lap.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a machine for forming a unitary outsole and heel adapted to be attached to a shoe, trimming means, a carrier including means for positioning and holding left and right outsoles, a pair of units each comprising means for positioning a heel, means for clamping said heel against movement, and means for applying a heel breast covering ilap of an outsole on the carrier to the breast of the heel, a trame, means for securing on the frame said carrier in two predetermined positions in either of which one or the other of 4the outsoles on thc carrier has its rear end portion arranged in a predetermined position with relation to said trimming means and the other outsole, which is mounted on the carrier and has already had a heel breast Hap formed at its rear end, is arranged opposite one of said units, power means for operating said trimming means to form a heel breast covering flap on the rear end portion of said one outsole, power means for operating the heel clamping means, and power means for operating the flap applying means.

2. In a machine for forming a unitary outsole and heel adapted to be attached to a shoe, trimming means comprising a die and a cutting bed, a carrier including means for positioning and holding left and right outsoles, a pair of units each comprising means for positioning a heel, means for clamping said heel against movement, and means for applying a heel breast covering iiap of an outsole on the carrier to the breast of the heel, a frame, means for securing on the frame said carrier in two predetermined positions in either of which one of the outsoles on the carrier has its rear end portion arranged in a predetermined position over the cutting bed and the other outsole, which is mounted on the carrier and has already had a heel breast flap formed at its rear end, is arranged opposite one of said units, power means for operating the die to form a heel breast covering flap on the rear end portion of said one outsole supported by said cutting bed, power means for operating the heel clamping means, and power means for operating the flap applying means.

3. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a combined outsole and heel, trimming means, a carrier having a pair of units each including means for positioning and holding an outsole, associated pairs of heel` positioning and clamping units and flap applying units arranged at opposite sides respectively of said trimming means, cach of said second-named units comprising means for positioning a heel and means for clamping said positioned heel against movement, said carrier being movable between iirst and second settings in either of which one of the outsoles positioned and held in one of said iirstnamed units is arranged in a predetermined position opposite the trimming means and the other outsole held in the other of said first-named units is arranged in a predetermined position opposite one of said associated pairs of second and third-named units, power means for causing said trimming means to remove material from the rear end portion of said one outsole whereby to form a heel breast covering tlap on this outsole, power means for operating said heel clamping means to cause the heels positioned respectively in said second-named units to be clamped in these units, and power means for operating either of said third-named units to cause said tlap on said 9 other outsole to be applied to the heel positioned and clamped in the associated second-named unit.

4. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a unitary outsole and heel adapted to be secured by the use of adhesive to the bottom of a shoe, trimming means comprising a die and a cutting block, a pair of heel positioning units one arranged at each side of the die, a pair of means for clamping respectively heels against movement in said heel positioning units, a guide, a carrier comprising a table for supporting right and lett outsoles, pairs of gages which are mounted on the table and are adapted to be engaged respectively by the toe ends and by the opposite lateral margins of the shanks of said outsoles whereby to position and to hold said outsoles on the table, means for setting the table in two different operating positions along said guide to cause one of said outsoles to be moved to a position in which its rear end portion is located over the cutting block and to cause the other of said outsoles, which has had a heel breast covering tlap formed on it, to be arranged opposite one of said heel positioning units, ilap applying means which is associated with each of the heel positioning units and comprises a resilient pad, power means for operating the die to form a heel breast covering iiap on the outsole supported by the cutting block, power means for selectively operating the heel clamping, meansy and power means for selectively operating the flap applying means to cause said resilient pad to force the heel breast covering fiap of said other outsole against the breast of the heel in the associated heel positioning unit whereby to secure by the use of adhesive the flap to said breast.

5. In a machine for use in the manufacture of an outsole-heel unit which is to be attached to a shoe bottom, a trimming unit, a pair of heel positioning and clamping units arranged adjacent to the trimming unit, a carrier, means for positioning and holding a pair of outsoles on the carrier, said carrier being movable between two operating positions in which the rear end portion of one of said outsoles is arranged at the trimming unit and the rear end portion of the other outsole, which has been bent toward the shank of the shoe, is in register with the breast of a heel in one of the positioning and clamping units, means for locking the carrier in either of its two operating positions, power means for operating the trimming unit to form a heel breast covering flap of a predetermined shape at the rear end of the outsole at said trimming unit, a resilient pad arranged at each of said heel positioning and clamping units and movable between a retracted position spaced a distance from the breast of the heel in said unit and a iiap applying position in which the flap of said other outsole at said unit is forced against the breast of the heel, and power means for moving said pad at the heel positioning and clamping unit to which the ap is presented between its retracted and fiap applying positions.

6. In a machine for use in the manufacture of an outsole-heel unit, a carrier movable between two operating positions, means for positioning and holding right and left outsoles on the carrier, a trimming unit comprising a die and a work supporting bed for forming a heel breast covering fiap at the rear end portion of the outsole, a pair of heel positioning and flap clamping units which are positioned at opposite sides respectively of the trimming unit, the rear end portion of one of said outsoles on the carrier being arranged over the work bed of the trimming unit and the other of said outsoles being arranged opposite the breast of the heel in one of said heel positioning and flap clamping unit when the carrier is in either one of its two operating positions, a pad which is associated with each of the heel positioning and flap clamping units and is movable between a retracted position spaced from the heel and a projected position whereby to force the ap of said other outsole against the breast of the heel, power means for moving the die against the work supporting bed to form a heel breast flap at the rear end portion of said one outsole, and power means for moving the pad of said one heel positioning and flap clamping unit from its retracted to its projected position for securing by the use of adhesive the iiap to the breast of the heel whereby to provide an outsole-heel unit which is subsequently applied to the bottom of a shoe.

7. in a machine for operating upon a loose outsole and a `loose heel to provide an outsole-heel unit which can be quickly and effectively secured to a shoe bottom, a unit for trimming the rear end portion of an outsole to form on said outsole a flap of a predetermined outline, a unit for positioning a heel and for clamping it against movement, flap applying means which comprises a pad and is positioned at the heel positioning and clamping unit, a carrier for positioning and holding an outsole, means which is adapted to guide the carrier to one predetermined position for causing the outsole on it to be arranged at a predetermined position with relation to the trimming unit and which is adapted to guide the carrier to a second predetermined position for causing the flap, which has been formed on the outsole and has been bent up toward the shank of the outsole, to be arranged in a predetermined position with relation to the breast of the heel, power means for operating the trimming unit, and power means for operating the pad between retracted and projected positions `to cause said pad to apply by the use of cement the flap of the outsole at said heel positioning and clamping unit to the breast of the heel whereby to provide said outsoie-heel unit.

8. In a machine for use in the manufacture of outsoleheel units which are to be secured to the bottoms of shoes, a trimming unit including a die and a cutting bed, a'carrier including a pair of outsole positioning and holding units each having toe and shank gages adapted to position an outsole lengthwise and widthwise respectively on the unit, a pair of heel positioning and flap clamping units comprising a platform adapted to be engaged by the rim of the attaching face of a heel and side and back gages for positioning the heel widthwise and lengthwise respectively upon the platform, a clamp adapted to force the heel positioned on the platform against said platform, means for slidingly supporting said carrier for movement between two diiferent operating positions in which an outsole in one of the outsole positioning and holding units is arranged in a predetermined position opposite the trimming unit with its rear end portion resting on said cutting bed and in which an outsole in the other outsole positioning and holding unit of the carrier is arranged in a predetermined position opposite one of the heel positionng and clamping units, each of said heel positioning and flap clamping units comprising a resilient pad, power means for operating the die to cause a heel breast covering ilap to be formed at the rear end portion of the outsole in said one outsole positioning and holding unit, and power means for forcing the resilient pad against a heel breast covering flap of an outsole in said other outsole positioning and holding unit whereby to apply said flap by the use of adhesive to the heel.

9. In a machine for use in the manufacture of an outsole-heel unit, a trimming unit having a fixed vertical median plane and comprising a die and a cutting bed, a heel positioning and flap applying unit having a fixed Vertical median plane and comprising heel positioning means, a heel clamp and a resilient flap applying pad, a carrier comprising an outsole positioning and holding unit having a vertical median plane, a frame having a guide along which the carrier is moved, means for setting on said guide the carrier in first and second operating positions in which the vertical median plane of the outsole positioning and holding unit is coincident respectively with the fixed vertical median planes of the trimming unit and the heel positioning and clamping unit, means for positioning an outsole lengthwise and widthwise on the outsole positioning and holding unit with a lengthwise median plane of the shank and rear end portion of the outsole lying in the vertical median plane of the outsole positioning and holding unit of the carrier, means for positioning a heel in the heel positioning and ilap applying unit with its vertical median plane arranged in the vertical median plane ot this unit, power means for clamping said heel in the hee positioning and tlap clamping unit, power means for moving the die against the cutting bed to form a heel breast covering flap on the outsole mounted in the carrier in its rst operating position, and power means for causing the pad to force against the breast of the heel clamped in the heel positioning and flap applying unit ysaid ap of the outsole in the heel positioning and holding unit of the carrier moved to its second predetermined position whereby to apply the flap to said breast by the use of adhesive.

l0. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a combined outsole and heel, a trimming unit having a ixed vertical median plane and comprising a reciprocable die and a cutting bed, a carrier comprising right and left outsole positioning and holding units each having a vertical median plane and including a toe rest for positioning an outsole lengthwise in the unit and front and rear pairs of rolls which are equidistant from the plane of the unit and are constrained for equal movement in opposite directions toward and away from the plane of the unit and are adapted to engage opposite sides of the rear shank portion of the outsole whereby to position said outsole with a median longitudinal plane of the rear end portion of the outsole arranged in the vertical median plane of this outsole positioning and holding unit, a pair of heel positioning and ap clamping units arranged respectively at opposite sides of the trimming unit and each having a fixed vertical median plane and comprising a platform adapted to be engaged by the rim of the attaching face of a heel, a back gage initially adjustable on the platform and adapted to be engaged by the rear end of the rim of the heel to position the heel lengthwise on the platform, front and rear pairs of side rolls, the rolls of said pairs being spaced equidistant from the vertical median plane of the associated heel positioning and flap clamping unit and being constrained for equal movement in opposite directions with relation to each other and being adapted to position the heel widthwise on the platform, a clamp for forcing the positioned heel against the platform, and a resilient pad, means for guiding the carrier for movementt between two ditferent operating positions in which a vertical median plane of one of the outsole positioning and holding units is arranged in the iiited vertical median plane of the trimming unit and the vertical median plane of the other outsole positioning and holding unit is arranged in a vertical median plane of one of the heel positioning and flap clamping units, power means for moving the die toward the cutting bed to form a heel breast covering ap on the rear end portion of the outsole in said one outsole positioning and holding unit, power means for operating the clamp to secure the positioned heel against movement on the platform, and power means for causing the resilient pad to force a flap which has already been formed on the outsole in said other outsole positioning and holding unit against the breast of the heel positioned opposite the heel positioning and flap clamping unit whereby to apply said liap by the use oftadhesive to said breast.

1l. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a heeloutsole unit, a fixed guide, a carrier including a slide and means for positioning an outsole lengthwise and width- Wise on the slide and for holding it positioned on said slide, trimming means, heel positioning means, power means for clamping against movement a heel in said heel positioning means, lap applying means, said slide being movable along the guide between one setting in which the outsole positioned on the slide is arranged respectively in a predetermined relation with the trimming means and a second setting in which the outside is arranged in a predetermined relation with the heel positioning and clamping means and the tlap applying means, power means for operating the trimming means when the slide is in said one setting to cause said trimming means to form at the rear end portion of the outsole a heel breast covering llap, and power means for operating the flap applying means when the slide is at said second setting to cause the liap applying means to force the flap against the breast of the positioned and clamped heel whereby to cause the flap to be secured to said breast by the use of adhesive.

l2. In a trimming machine, trimming means comprising a die and a cutting bed, a slide, means for positioning and holding left and right outsoles of the same size and style on said slide, said second-named means comprising gages adapted to be engaged by the toe ends of the left and right outsoles and pairs of spring biased rolls adapted to engage opposite sides of the Shanks of the left and right outsoles on the slide, a member, means for initially securing the member to the slide in different adjusted positions arranged generally lengthwise of the outsoles to .be positioned in accordance with the style of said outsoles, said toe gages being normally secured to said member but being initially adjustable on the member generally lengthwise of the outsoles on the slide in accordance with the size of the outsoles, means for securing said slide in two predetermined positions to present respectively the rear ends of said left and right outsoles to the cutting bed, and power means for operating the die.

13. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a heeloutsole unit which is to be attached -to the bottom of a shoe, a table, means for positioning on the table a loose outsole having at its rear end portion a heel breast covering flap, said means comprising a gage adapted to be engaged by the toe end of the outsole and pairs of gages adapted to engage opposite sides of the shank of the outsole, a platform adapted to be engaged by the rim of the attaching face of a heel to be attached to the outsole, a gage which is initially adjustable with relation to the platform but is normally fixed to the platform and which is adapted to position the heel lengthwise, spring-biased pairs of gages adapted to be engaged by opposite sides of the rim of the attaching face of the heel to position said heel widthwise on the platform, power operated means for clamping the positioned heel against the platform, means for guiding the table for movement between two settings in one of which the outsole is positioned upon the table and in the other of which the heel breast covering ilap of the outsole is arranged opposite the breast of the positioned and clamped heel, and a power operated exible pad for forcing the heel breast covering flap of the outsole against the breast of the heel when the table is in said other setting.

14. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a heeloutsole unit which is to be attached to the bottom of a shoe, a trimming unit, a pair of units arranged at opposite sides of the trimming unit and adapted to position and to clamp heels respectively, a movable carrier comprising means for positioning and holding in position right and left outsoles, means for guiding the carrier and securing it in two predetermined operating positions in which one of the outsoles is arranged opposite the trimming unit preparatory to causing the trimming unit to form a heel breast covering lap at the rear end portion of the outsole and the other of the outsoles, which has had a heel breast covering liap formed on it, is arranged opposite one of the heel positioning and clamping units, power operated means for actuating the trimming unit to form a heel breast covering flap at the rear end portion of the outsole at the trimming unit, a flexible tlap applying pad assoicated with each of the heel positioning and clamping units, and power operated means for actuating the pad associated with said one heel positioning and clamping unit to cause it to apply the ap of the outsole at this unit to the breast of said heel.

15. In a machine for use in the manufacture of heeloutsole units, trimming means, a carrier, means for positioning and holding right and left outsoles on the carrier,

13 said second named means being adjustable on the carrier to predetermined positions in -accordance with the styles and the sizes of the outsoles, means for securing the carrier in two predetermined settings to prevent respectively the rear ends of said right and left outsoles successively to the trimming means, and power means for operating said trimming means to form heel breast covering aps on the rear end portions of the outsoles presented to the trimming means.

16. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a heeloutsole unit, a table, means for positioning on the table a loose outsole having at its rear end portion a heel breast covering ilap, a platform adapted to be engaged by the rim of an attaching face of a heel to be attached to the outsole, gages for positioning the heel lengthwise and widthwise on the platform, means for clamping the positioned heel against movement on the platform, said table being movable between two predetermined settings in one of which the outsole on the table is spaced from the heel clamped on the platform and in the other of which the outsole on the table is arranged opposite the heel positioned and clamped on the platform with its flap arranged in opposed relation to the breast of the heel, and a power operated flexible pad for forcing said flap against the breast of the heel whereby to secure said ap to the heel by the use of adhesive.

17. A machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein the trimming means includes a cutting die comprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for initial adjustment along the guideways respectively, flexible knives which are secured respectively to one of each of said pairs of blocks and have cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, and means for independently securing the pairs of blocks in different initially adjusted positions in their associated guideways to vary the shapes of the cutting edges of the knives.

18. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein the trimming means comprises a housing having a longitudinal median plane and having two or more guideways extending at right angles to said plane, a back knife adjustably secured to the housing and having a straight cutting edge disposed at right angles to said plane, means for securing to the housing the back knife in different operating positions lengthwise of said plane, pairs of blocks mounted for adjustment along the guideways respectively, ilexible side knives each of which has a cutting edge and is secured to one of each of said pairs of blocks and has one of its ends in contact with the back knife and its cutting edge substantially continuous with the cutting edge of the back knife, and means for initially adjusting the blocks into different operating positions in the guideways to vary the shapes and locations of the cutting edges of the side knives which throughout their adjustment are substantially continuous with the cutting edge of the back knife.

19. A machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein the trimming means includes a cutting die comprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for adjustment along the guideways respectively, flexible side knives which are secured to one of each of the pairs of blocks and having cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, and means for independently operating each of the blocks to predetermined positions in their associated guideways `to vary the longitudinal contours of the cutting edges of the knives.

20. A machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein the trimming means includes a cutting die comprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for sliding movement along the guideways respectively, llexible side knives which are secured to one of each of said pairs of blocks and have cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, and means for moving said blocks to predetermined positions in their associated guideways to vary the contours of the knives, one of said side knives having a lateral extension which is arranged generally lengthwise of said guideways and which engages and extends beyond an end of the other side knife and has a cutting edge arranged approximately in said plane.

21. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein the trimming means includes a cutting die comprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for adjustment along the guideways respectively, flexible side knives which are secured to one of each of the pairs of blocks and have cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, screws rotatable in the housing and adapted to move the blocks in the guideways respectively equal distances in opposite directions initially to adjust the cutting edges of the knives to the proper shapes, one of said side knives having a lateral extension which extends generally lengthwise of the guideways and which engages and extends beyond an end of the other side knife and has a cutting edge arranged approximately in said plane.

22. In a machine for forming a heel breast covering ap at the rear end portion of an outsole, a cutting die cornprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for sliding movement along the guideways respectively, exible side knives which are secured to one of each of said pairs of blocks and have cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, and means for moving said blocks to predetermined positions in their associated guideways to vary the contours of the knives, one of said side knives having a lateral extension which is arranged generally lengthwise of said guideways and which engages and extends beyond an end of the other side knife and has a cutting edge arranged approximately in said plane.

23. In a machine for forming a heel breast covering flap at the rear end portion of an outsole, a cutting die comprising a housing having two or more guideways, pairs of blocks mounted for adjustment along the guideways respectively, flexible side knives which are secured to one of each of the pairs of blocks and have cutting edges arranged approximately in a plane, screws rotatable in the housing and adapted to move the blocks in the guide- Ways respectively equal distances in opposite directions initially to adjust the cutting edges of the knives to the proper shapes, one of said side knives having a lateral extension which extends generally lengthwise of the guideways and which engages and extends beyond an end of the other side knife and has a cutting edge arranged approximately in said plane.

24. In a machine for use in the manufacture of a combined outsole and heel, trimming means, means for positioning and clamping a heel, a movable carrier, means for positioning and holding an outsole on the carrier, means for locating the carrier in two different operating positions in one of which the rear end portion of the outsole is presented to the trimming means and in other of which the rear end portion of the outsole is arranged opposite a heel in said heel positioning and clamping means, power means for operating said trimming means to form a heel breast covering ap at the rear end portion of the outsole when the carrier is in said one operating position, a resilient pad associated with the heel position and clamping means, and power means for operating said pad to cause it to apply the heel breast covering ilap of the outsole on the carrier in its said other operating position to the breast of the heel.

25. In a machine for forming a unitary outsole and heel adapted to be attached to a shoe, trimming means, a movable carrier, means for positioning and holding an outsole on the carrier, means for positioning and clamping a heel, means for setting the carrier in a rst predetermined position in which the rear end portion of the outsole is presented to the trimming means, power means for operating the trimming means to cause said trimming means to form, when the carrier is in said first setting, a heel breast ap of a predetermined shape at the rear 15 end portion of the outsole, means for locating the carrier in a second setting in which the outsole is arranged n a definite relation to the heel positioning and clamping means, a ap applying pad associated with the heel positioning and clamping means, and power means for operating said pad to apply by the use of adhesive to the breast of the heel the heel breast Covering flap of the outsole which is on the carrier in its second setting.

24,835 Warren July 19, 1859 15 Snow Nov. 28, Swift June 27, Van Praag July 20, 'Gammeter Nov. 5, Pericand Apr. 5, Kelly Nov. 25, Sabo Apr. 24, Ha'zelton et a1. Nov. 2, Elliot et a1. Jau. 29,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 18, 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR FORMING A UNITARY OUTSOLE AND HEEL ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A SHOE, TRIMMING MEANS, A CARRIER INCLUDING MEANS FOR POSITIONING AND HOLDING LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSOLES, A PAIR OF UNITS EACH COMPRISING MEANS FOR POSITIONING A HEEL, MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID HEEL AGAINST MOVEMENT, AND MEANS FOR APPLYING A HEEL BREAST COVERING FLAP OF AN OUTSOLE ON THE CARRIER TO THE BREAST OF THE HEEL, A FRAME, MEANS FOR SECURING ON THE FRAME SAID CARRIER IN TWO PREDETERMINED POSITIONS IN EITHER OF WHICH ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE OUTSOLES ON THE CARRIER HAS ITS REAR END PORTION ARRANGED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION WITH RELATION TO SAID TRIMMING MEANS AND THE OTHER OUTSOLE, WHICH IS MOUNTED ON THE CARRIER AND HAS ALREADY HAD A HEEL BREAST FLAP FORMED AT ITS REAR END, IS ARRANGED OPPOSITE ONE OF SAID UNITS, POWER MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID TRIMMING MEANS TO FORM A HEEL BREAST COVERING FLAP ON THE REAR END PORTION OF SAID ONE OUTSOLE, POWER MEANS FOR OPERATING THE HEEL CLAMPING MEANS, AND POWER MEANS FOR OPERATING THE FLAP APPLYING MEANS. 